Freight train hits car in Wheaton, driver able to escape

The driver of a vehicle pushed off railroad tracks and onto its side Tuesday by a freight train in Wheaton was able to exit his vehicle on his own, Wheaton police said.

A 52-year-old Wheaton man was transported to Central DuPage Hospital for examination after the crash that occurred around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday near the railroad crossing signal at College Avenue and Hill Street. The man, who was driving eastbound on College Avenue, had proceeded in his Jeep around the activated crossing signal when the collision occurred with a Union Pacific Railroad freight train heading west, police said in a release.

Metra trains were stopped in Wheaton this afternoon after the accident.

Metra trains on the Union Pacific/West Line were stopped for a time, but were moving again by about 1:30 p.m., with delays of up to an hour and 15 minutes. Check the Metra website for updates.